Turks & Caicos resort targets tech-savvy travelers

In a somewhat unusual marketing move, The Sands at Grace Bay in the Turks & Caicos is targeting tech-savvy travelers with “the most current tools to access real-time information, make reservations and easily research resort and island information,” the resort says.

The move raises the question of whether others will follow.

“In response to the rise of web-based bookings over the past year, the resort has unveiled a new mobile application that will enable travelers to book real-time reservations and browse hotel information via their smart phones,” the resort says.

It also has added a new blog that provides prospective travelers with local insight, tips and expert advice.

 Said the resort in a PR release:

“The decision to enhance the resort’s online and mobile booking capabilities was made in response to the significant increase in occupancy numbers and vacation inquiries that the resort has been experiencing this fall and winter travel season, after debuting a newly revamped website and Facebook page in the beginning of the year.”

The Sands at Grace Bay says its successful fourth quarter was on pace to be the second best year in sales since the resort first opened in 1998, with December occupancy numbers already 27 percent ahead of this time last year.

The resort also reports strong first quarter 2012 bookings that are pacing well ahead of last year and forecasts 2012 to be a record breaking year in sales overall.

By simply typing “thesandstc.com” into their mobile web browsers, travelers will now be redirected to the resort’s new mobile-optimized webpage “m.thesandstc.com" that offers a quick and easy format for booking vacation reservations online and accessing timely resort information.

The resort blog will provide guests with resort news and announcements, excursion and day trip ideas, up-to-date information on island events and festivities, advice for planning weddings, family trips and special vacations in the area and more.

The Sands at Grace Bay is situated on the world-renowned 12-mile crescent of powdery white sand known as Grace Bay Beach – voted the #1 Beach & Sun Destination In The World by Trip Advisor’s ‘Traveler’s Choice’ Awards. The family-friendly 114-room resort is located on six oceanfront acres offers accommodations in studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet.

By David Wilkening